Set your parachute on the ground and invite children to sit on it. Deposit all kinds of balls in the centre of your parachute and ask children to name the games they like to play that involve balls. Fill a bag with a variety of items that can be used for different types of games and present them to your group one at a time. Discuss each one. Use pictures and illustrations representing sports that involve balls to encourage children to speak. Ask children if their parents or siblings practice sports that require balls.

Poni discovers and presents-Balls(Open Poni discovers and presents-Balls) Print the cards. Laminate them and cut them out. Using a Poni puppet or another puppet children are familiar with to present the items to your group.

PICTURE GAME

The pictures may be used as a memory game or to spark a conversation with your group. Use them to decorate your daycare or a specific thematic corner. (Open picture game-Balls) Print, laminate, and store the pictures in a Ziploc bag or in your thematic bin.

(Open educa-nuudles-Balls) Print for each child. Have children color the sheet and use Magic Nuudles to give it a three-dimensional look. Variation: You don't have Magic Nuudles? Have children fill the spaces designed for Magic Nuudles with bingo markers or stickers. To order Magic Nuudle

WRITING ACTIVITIES

Stationery-Balls(Open stationery-Balls) Print. You may use the stationery to communicate with parents, in your writing area, or to identify your thematic bins.

Let's chat(Open word flashcards-Balls) Print and laminate the word flashcards. Encourage each child to pick one and present the item (example: hot air ballooon) to the group. Invite children to share what they know about each item with their friends. Ask children questions.

Associating pictures and words(Open giant word flashcards-Balls) Print, laminate, and display the word flashcards on a wall within your circle time area or on a large piece of cardboard that can easily be moved around. Name a word and encourage children to take turns identifying the correct flashcard.

ROUTINES AND TRANSITIONS

Ball path(Open transition games-Balls) Print, laminate, and secure the illustrations on the floor to create a path which leads to areas frequently visited by children such as the bathroom or cloakroom. If you prefer, the illustrations may also be used to delimit your various workshops.

This is my spot-Balls(Open transition games-Balls) Print two copies. Laminate and cut out the cards. Glue one copy of each card on the table using adhesive paper. Drop the other copies in a bag. Children take turns picking a card to determine their spot at the table for the day. You may also use the cards to determine naptime spots or for your task train.

ACTIVITIES FOR BABIES

Rolling ballsFill a large container with colourful balls of different sizes. Let children explore its contents. They will enjoy throwing the balls, rolling them, etc.

Ball pitFill a kiddie pool with multicoloured plastic balls. Add tennis balls as well as miniature versions of balls used for a variety of sports. Let children throw the balls, manipulate them, and play with them as they wish.

Roll, throw, and catchOffer several different balls and let children try to roll, throw, and catch them.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND MOTOR SKILLS

We suggest you prepare a special game box that will help you pick and choose which ball games you will play with your group each day. Simply have a child pick a card. The different games are explained on the back of each illustrated card. You can take these cards everywhere. Use them indoors, at the playground, in your yard, etc. (Open game box-Balls) Print, laminate, and store the cards in a box or Ziploc bag.

Hit or catchHave children sit in a circle. The leader of the game gently throws the ball in the direction of another child and says "hit" or "catch" at the same time. The child who receives the ball must respond by hitting or catching the ball, depending on the first child's instructions. If the second child misses, he/she must sit down.

Mini basketballSet a small basketball net or bucket at one end of your daycare or yard and introduce your group to basketball. At first, use small balls that are easy to hold and manipulate. You can use a bigger ball once children have had some practice. Depending on their age and level of ability, you can eventually offer a real basketball.

The holeFor this activity, you will need a parachute. Ask children to hold the edges of the parachute and stretch it out as much as they can at hip level to create a flat surface. Deposit a small ball on the parachute and show children how they can use back and forth movements and cooperation to make the ball fall through the hole in the centre of your parachute.

Small basket, small balls, big basket, big ballsYou will need two baskets (a small one and a big one) as well as several balls (small ones and bigger ones). Children must take turns choosing a ball and tossing it in the correct basket, depending on its size.

Blanket volleyballDivide your group into two teams. Use electrical tape to divide your playing area into two equal parts to represent a volleyball court. The players from each team hold a baby blanket. They must use their team's blanket to toss the ball into the other team's half of the court, without letting it fall to the ground. Adapt regular volleyball rules to children's abilities.

Hula hoop targetsHang hula hoops on a wall or fence or simply deposit them on the ground. Invite children to stand a few feet away and attempt to throw small balls or bean bags in the circles.

Friendly ball gameDeposit a ball on a blanket. Encourage children to take turns "throwing" the ball to one of their friends by rolling it on the blanket. They may sometimes have to ask the other children for help.

Light volleyballIntroduce your group to volleyball. Use a beach ball and show children how they can hit it by placing both of their open hands close together (set) or bump it by clasping their hands together. Once children have somewhat mastered these two techniques, divide your group into two teams and organize a short volleyball game.

Soccer for beginnersSet up two goals in your yard using cones or other items you have on hand. Divide your group into two teams. Children from each team attempt to kick the ball into the other team's goal. To encourage cooperation, you may choose to add a few rules with older children. For example, you may insist they pass the ball at least once before scoring.

Bouncing obstacle courseBuild your own maze-like obstacle course. You can, for example, hang a rope that children must crawl under between two chairs or, if you prefer, you may have them climb over it. Set a bucket of water on a chair and have children crawl under it without spilling water on the floor. Use whatever you have on hand and invite children to help you create the obstacle course. Include obstacles that will make it possible for children to move in a variety of different ways: hop, spin, crawl, etc. Invite children to complete the obstacle course while holding a ball in their hands.

I throw, you throw, we throwThrowing a ball is an important skill that children must develop. Show children how to throw a ball and encourage them to practice by organizing simple friendly competitions. Encourage right-handed children to try to throw a ball with their left hand (and vice versa), have three children stand in a triangular formation to throw the ball to each other, etc.

Ball hopscotchUse sidewalk chalk to draw a giant hopscotch grid on the ground in your yard. Encourage children to toss a small ball on the hopscotch grid as a marker.

Bowling with ballsSet your bowling pins on a low table in a corner of your backyard. Each child has three chances to toss a ball towards the bowling pins, trying to make them all fall down. If you don't have bowling pins, you may simply use empty plastic bottles. To increase the level of difficulty, set the bowling pins directly on the ground.

Ball tossing statuesFor this game, help each child find a partner. They must stand just a few feet away from each other. The goal of the game is for children to successfully toss the ball back and forth without moving their feet. Count how many times each team tosses the ball before it falls to the ground.

Man in the middleDivide your group into teams of three players. The players from each team form a straight line. The players at each end of the line face each other and throw the ball back and forth. The child in the middle must try to intercept the ball. With very young children, be sure to have players trade places frequently to avoid the child in the middle getting discouraged.

Miniature golfSet up a miniature golf course, but use balls instead of golf balls. Children must successfully complete each part of the course:

The garbage cano Set a garbage can approximately 6 feet away from the starting point. Children must toss a ball inside the garbage can. Count how many tosses they require before succeeding.

The tunnelo Set your fabric tunnel on the ground. Children must roll a ball through the tunnel.

The hula hoopo Hang a hula hoop from a piece of playground equipment and encourage children to throw a ball through it.

Bouncing ballo Set a beach ball approximately six feet away from the starting point. Children must hit it with another ball.

Targeted pyramidCollect metal cans in a variety of different sizes. Stack them on a table to create a pyramid. Children have three chances to throw a ball towards the pyramid and make all the cans fall down.

Ball tossSet several hula hoops on the ground, leaving approximately 12 inches between them. Children each have five chances. They must throw a ball, attempting to make it land in one of the hula hoops. If you wish, you can associate a specific number of points to each hula hoop. Add up the number of points each child makes to determine a winner.

Pyramid destructionThis is a simple low-cost activity for young children. Cut strips of felt or cardboard. Let children decorate them (glitter glue, paint, markers). Glue the strips of felt around metal cans and stack them to create a pyramid. Encourage older children to throw a ball towards the pyramid to make it fall down. Younger children can simply roll a ball towards the pyramid or even use their hands to make the cans fall down. If you wish, you can increase the level of difficulty for older children by asking them to roll the ball while facing backwards, push it with their foot, etc.

COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES

Lacing-Beach balls(Open lacing-Beach balls) Print, laminate, and punch holes around the contour of each shape. Encourage children to thread string or ribbon through the holes.

Association game(Open association game-Summer Olympics) Print, laminate, and display on a wall, at children's eye level. Have children use adhesive putty or Velcro to associate the small illustrations to the correct sport.

Educ-math-Sports(Open educ-math-Sports) Print and laminate for durable, eco-friendly use. Children must count the objects in each rectangle and circle the corresponding number.

EARLY SCIENCE

Bounce...or notCollect different types of balls associated with various sports. Ask children which ball they think will bounce the highest, which one will bounce the least, which one won't bounce at all, etc.

A needle in a balloon

Globule wonders...

Can we insert a needle in a balloon without popping it?

HYPOTHESES:Ask children what they think would happen if you inserted a needle in a balloon. Why do balloons pop?

MATERIAL:

A few balloons

A few pins and needles

Adhesive tape

MANIPULATIONS:This experiment must be performed by the early childhood educator since it involves the use of needles that can be dangerous for little ones.

Blow up a balloon, but not to its full capacity. Tie a knot.

Apply a few pieces of adhesive tape here and there on the surface of the balloon.

Insert needles in the balloon, but only where you applied adhesive tape.

EXPLANATION:The balloon does not pop because the adhesive tape plays the role of a seal around the needles and prevents the air from exiting the balloon. The balloon will only pop if the air finds a way to suddenly exit the balloon. If children are old enough and if they are not easily scared, you may perform the experiment backwards by popping balloons different ways. For example, insert needles in balloons without applying adhesive tape or by exerting pressure on them.

CULINARY ACTIVITIES

CupcakesPrepare cupcakes or muffins with your group and invite them to use colourful icing to decorate the balls to represent soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs, footballs, etc. Serve the cupcakes at snack time.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Puppets-Balls(Open puppets-Balls) Print the puppet models on heavy cardboard. Invite children to cut them out and decorate them with various materials. Attach a Popsicle stick to the back of each model to create a puppet.

Models-Balls(Open models-Balls) Print the various models and use them for your activities and projects throughout the theme.

Cutting activity-Balls(Open balls for sports) Print and have children choose the model they prefer. Encourage them to cut it out. If you prefer, you may also simply trace a circle on a white piece of paper, have children cut it out, and provide black and white paint they can use to turn it into a soccer ball.

My three-dimensional ball(Open balls for sports) Print each ball twice. Staple matching balls back to back, leaving an open space at the top of each one. Fill the shapes with newspaper, cotton balls, or other materials. Once the balls are fully stuffed, staple the portion you had originally left open and hang them from the ceiling within your daycare.

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